Ice-creeper



Patented Sept. I3, 1898 J. W. BRAYMAN.

ID E G R E E P E R.

(Application filed Apr. '7, 1897.)

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WITNESSES [NVENTOR I c/aVzn mfiragymdn M Attorney JOIIN \V. BRAYMAN, OFSILVER SPRINGS, NEW YORK.

ICE-CREEPER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 610,842, datedSeptember 13, 1898.

Application filed April 7, 1897. Serial No. 631,051. (No model.)

To all whom, it may concern:

Be it known that 1, JOHN W. BRAYMAN, a citizen of the United States,residing at Silver Springs, in the county of Wyoming and State of NewYork, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Ice-Creepers;and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exactdescription of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in theart to which it appertains to make and use the same. 1

This invention relates to ice-creepers, and essentially consists of anautomatic adjusting-bail or attaching device.

The invention further consists of the specific construction,arrangement, and combination of parts, which will be more fullyhereinafter described and claimed.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a side view showing theimproved ice-creeper applied. Fig. 2 is a similar view of the icecreepershown detached.

Referring to the drawings, wherein similar numerals of reference areemployed to indicate corresponding parts in the views, the numeral 1designates an ice-creeper comprising a heel-plate 2, withupwardly-projecting ears 3 at the sides and back anddownwardlyprojecting spurs or teeth 4 on the under side. The form ofcreeper shown is employed solely to illustrate the application of theinvention, and any other form of said device may be readily substitutedas long as it preserves in its structure convenient means of attachment.

To the ears 3 is secured a Wire rim 5, havin g loops 6 therein, to whichare movably connected the two ends of a yielding bail 7. The rim 5 ispreferably formed of spring-wire and the bail 7 of similar material andcoiled to avoid the formation of angles or projections, and therebyprevent abrasion of the boot or shoe it engages.

In applying the improved creeper in operative position the boot or shoeis slipped through the bail '7, and the plate 2 is placed against theheel in such manner that the ears 3 will be located on opposite sidesand in rear thereof, and by this arrangement the wire rim 5 is elevateda considerable distance upwardly thereon. A skeleton socket is thusformed for conveniently cleaning the creeper and a snug engagement withthe heel is also attainable. The bail 7 is then drawn up over the footand automatically adjusts itself to the contour of the boot or shoe andthe foot at the place of engagement. A greater or less degree of tensionis necessarily exerted on the bail relatively to the distance of theextreme point of hearing from the heel-plate, and this tension istransmitted to and contracts the rim 5 and forces the same in closecontact with the heel, thereby holding the creeper in proper position toresist accidental disengagement from any cause. The bail 7 through itscoiled construction will retain its adjusted position on the boot orshoe, and also for the reason that when the tension is exerted thereonthe coils will separate and an easy gripping action ensue.

The improved device may be readily and quickly applied by a person instanding posture and dispenses with all forms of straps, buckles, andanalogous fastening attachments. is held against the heel by the upwardpull of the bail '7, the latter, however, not in the leastinconveniencing the wearer by a binding or pinching of the boot. Inremoving the device the said heel-plate and the parts carried therebymay be easily drawn away from the heel through the medium of theresilient nature of the bail and said bail readily slipped off the bootor shoe.

It will be understood that the bail 7 and rim 5 can be suitably enameledor plated and varied in dimension to suit the size and nature of thecreeper to which they are attached.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new is- 1. In anice-creeper, the combination of a resilient retaining-bail and ayielding springrim, substantially as described.

2. The combination with an ice-creeper, of a resilient retaining-bail,and a yielding rim having eyes therein to which said bail is attached,substantially as described.

3. The combination with an ice-creeper, having upwardly-projectingdevices, a yielding wire rim attached to said devices and hav ing eyestherein, and a coiled spring retaining-bail attached to said eyes,substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have signed this specification in the presence oftwo subscribing witnesses.

JOHN W". BRAYMAN.

During its application the heel-plate

